Taquin Du Seuil can deliver in Denman Chase

Taquin Du Seuil was a major disappointment when last seen in action, but with his trainer Jonjo O’Neill how beginning to hit form with a vengeance looks decent value to bounce back and land the Denman Chase at Newbury today (2.25)
The gelding enjoyed a terrific first season over fences when winning four of his six starts.
They included a 17 length victory at Haydock, and a gutsy 3/4 length defeat of the classy Uxizandre in the 2m 4f JLT Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

That latter performance marked Tagquin Du Seuil out as a big player for major staying chase honours this season, and there was plenty to like about his second run of the campaign at Wetherby when runner-up to Menorah in the Charlie Hall Chase.

The strapping son of Voix Du Nord got outpaced three from home before staying on strongly to go down by four lengths.

Taquin finished four lengths in front of the fifth home Silviniaco Conti, and that on has since gone on to and the Betfair Chase at Haydock and the King George VI chase at Kempton for the second year running.

That is strong form in the context of this contest, and although the eight-year-old was bitterly disappointing last time out when sent off the heavily backed 9/2 third favourite and pulled-up in the Betfair Chase won by Silviniaco Conti his stable were badly under a cloud at the time.

It was a run which was too bad to be true, and with the O’Neill team now beginning to fire on all cylinders Taquin looks worth another chance to build on his promising effort in the Charlie Hall.

Underfoot conditions will certainly hold no fears, and in receipt of weight from all bar one of his rivals Taquin Du Seuil looks well-treated by the conditions of this Grade 2 contest.

The Venetia Williams trained Houblon Des Obeaux is a consistent sort who looks the biggest danger on paper based on his cracking second to Many Clouds in the Hennessy at Newbury, whilst another interesting contender who should not be underestimated is the novice Coneygree.

The eight-year-old is a bold front runner who has come back from an absence of 671 days on the sidelines to win both his starts over fences in good style, and the fact that connections are considering a tilt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup suggests that they believe he is the real deal and has plenty more to offer.